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“What do you want me to say, Alana? I told you what I wanted from our arrangement and that hasn’t changed.” It wasn’t the first time I had this conversation with a woman, but if I had any sense, it would be the last.
“I know you did, but you didn’t mean it.”
“I don’t say things I don’t mean, Alana.”
She wanted to believe that I would change, that my feelings for her would grow over time, so she had accepted what I was offering.
“That’s cold, Cal. Cold and heartless, and you’re not a heartless man.” Her skin paled, highlighting the freckles she normally hid with makeup, but not today—probably because I loved to kiss each of those freckles when I had her naked.
“I may be cold and heartless from your perspective, but I’m not a liar. I told you I wanted something light and casual, and you said that’s what you wanted, too.” I should have known. Hell, I did know, but she was a grown woman who owned her own business—she was capable of making up her own damn mind.
“It is, or rather, it was. But my feelings have changed, and I believe yours have, too.” She believed that because she wanted to. She thought if she was wild enough in bed, or sweet enough or whatever, I would fall for her.
“My feelings, and more importantly, my wants and desires, haven’t changed.”
A small smile appeared as she walked toward me, flipping her strawberry blond hair off her shoulders. “I know all about your desires.”
“It’s one of the things I like about you.”
At my words, she froze. “Like. It’s one of the things you like about me? Is there anything you love about me?” Her blue eyes were filled with hope and expectation, and I wanted to be able to keep that look on her pretty face. But I couldn’t.
“No, Alana. I’m sorry, but I don’t love you.” I didn’t love anyone, not in a romantic sense, anyway.
She blinked and tears fell down her freckled cheeks. “But how can that be? All those dinners and weekends spent in bed talking. What was all that?”
“That was perfect. It was just what I wanted. I thought it was what you wanted at the time, too.” It was clear she was ready to upgrade from casual to boyfriend on her way to husband and happily ever after—which meant we were done. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“This is ridiculous, Cal. You couldn’t possibly have thought I’d be happy with that arrangement forever.” Now she was angry. At least that was easier to deal with than her tears.
A throat cleared behind me and I turned with a frown to find Teddy Ricci standing inside my door wearing ripped jeans that sculpted long, shapely legs, thick caramel curls that fell around bare shoulders, and a black tank top that showed off amazing tits and long, strong arms. Her big, honey brown eyes were filled with amusement—at my expense, no doubt—as she took in the scene.
“Is this a bad time?”
“Oh, this is great,” Alana growled. “Just great. You’ve already replaced me?”
Teddy laughed and the sound was rich and throaty, like she enjoyed every moment of her life. “Not in a million years, lady. I’m here strictly in a professional capacity,” she told Alana before turning to me. “Teddy at eleven. Ringing any bells?”
I nodded absently, remembering that Hannah had left a message about Teddy Brothers coming for a consult. “I didn’t realize Teddy Brothers was your company.”
She nodded, her gaze now blank as it clashed with mine. “Well, it is. I can go if this is a bad time, and we can reschedule.”
We’d reschedule never, I was sure. “No, this is a good time. Alana and I were just finishing up our chat.”
Alana gasped and more tears rolled down her cheeks. I felt bad, but she had done this to herself. “You are a heartless jerk. I hope when you do fall in love, it’s with a woman just like you.” The words sounded good to my ears, but they also sounded like a curse. “Have a miserable life, jerk.”
She stomped off angrily and I sighed, feeling like I’d somehow done something wrong and trying to shake it off.
“Ah, sorry about that.” I rubbed a hand over my messy hair and let out a slow sigh.
“Don’t apologize, I already know you’re a jerk. So, what did you want done to this place?” Her brown eyes took in the details of the house and she already started making notes. Not the kind that included throw pillows and a woman’s touch, just notes on beams and windows and fixtures.
She was all business, and as much as I usually appreciated it, I hated it from Teddy. She’d practically grown up at my house and now she was acting like we were strangers. I didn’t get it, but I had time.
